Deep Coral and Associated Species Taxonomy and Ecology DeepCAST II Expedition Report Roatán, Honduras. May 21‐28, 2011. Report date: September 2011 NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 137 This report has been reviewed by the National Ocean Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and approved for publication. Such approval does not signify that the contents necessarily represent the official position of NOAA or of the Government of the United States, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for their use. Furthermore, this report is intended to serve as a record of cruise activities and preliminary observations during a field survey in support of an ongoing research study, and thus does not represent a final analysis or interpretation of project results. Cover Photo. A large yellow sea fan colony with Asteroschema sp. brittlestars in the branches and an orange colored brisingid seastar Novodinia antillensis on a rocky outcrop at 700 meters depth in Roatán, Honduras. Citation for this Report: Etnoyer, PJ, TC Shirley, KA Lavelle. 2011. Deep Coral and Associated Species Taxonomy and Ecology (DeepCAST) II Expedition Report. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 137. NOAA/NOS Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, Charleston, SC. 42 pp. Expedition Report Deep Coral and Associated Species Taxonomy and Ecology (DeepCAST) II Expedition, May 21‐28, 2011 Deep Coral and Associated Species Taxonomy and Ecology (DeepCAST) II Expedition Report Peter J. Etnoyer1, Thomas C. Shirley2, and Katherine A. Lavelle2 1 NOAA Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research (CCEHBR), 219 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC, 29412‐9110 2 Texas A&M University‐ Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, TX, 78412 [Also see list of other collaborating scientists on the final page of this report] NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 137 September 2011 United States Department of National Oceanic and National Ocean Service Commerce Atmospheric Administration Gary Locke Jane Lubchenco David Kennedy (A) Secretary Administrator Assistant Administrator This page intentionally left blank. Deep Coral and Associated Species Taxonomy and Ecology (DeepCAST) II Expedition Roatán, Honduras. May 21-28, 2011. Introduction: NOAA has a mandate to explore and understand deep-sea coral ecology under Magnuson-Stevens Sustainable Fisheries Conservation Act Reauthorization of 2009. Deep-sea corals are increasingly considered a proxy for marine biodiversity in the deep-sea because corals create complex structure, and this structure forms important habitat for associated species of shrimp, crabs, sea stars, brittle stars, and fishes. Yet, our understanding of the nature of the relationships between deep-corals and their associated species is incomplete. One of the primary challenges of conducting any type of deep-sea coral (DSC) research is access to the deep-sea. The deep-sea is a remote environment that often requires long surface transits and sophisticated research vehicles like submersibles and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). The research vehicles often require substantial crew, and the vehicles are typically launched from large research vessels costing many thousands of dollars a day. To overcome the problem of access to the deep-sea, the Deep Coral and Associated Species Taxonomy and Ecology (DeepCAST) Expeditions are pioneering the use of shore-based submersibles equipped to do scientific research. Shore-based subs alleviate the need for expensive ships because they launch and return under their own power. One disadvantage to the approach is that shore-based subs are restricted to nearby sites. The disadvantage is outweighed, however, by the benefit of repeated observations, and the opportunity to reduce the costs of exploration while expanding knowledge of deep-sea coral ecology. Expedition Summary: The DeepCAST II Expedition explored depths below the Meso-American Reef in Roatán, Honduras from 21- 28 May 2011. The team explored deep-sea habitats using the Roatán Institute for Deep-sea Exploration submersible Idabel, captained by Karl Stanley. The team made six dives between 1200 and 2200 feet deep (365 and 670 meters), conducting photo and video transects to estimate coral and sponge diversity and abundance, characterizing water chemistry, and collecting corals and mollusks to discern the relationships between corals and their epifauna. Among the highlights of the trip were: First confirmed documentation of live Lophelia pertusa along the Meso-American Reef. Comprehensive sampling of slit shell diversity for genetic and biogeographic studies. Live aggregations of very large, presumably very old, deep-sea gorgonian corals. Octocoral diversity and biomass exceeding well-known sites in the Gulf of Mexico. Numerous species in association with corals, including sea stars, sea urchins, brittle stars, mollusks, crabs, and fishes. Evidence of agonistic interactions, including predation on deep-sea coral colonies. Photographic data to measure coral recovery rates from prior predation events. Evidence of human pollution (trash & fishing gear) degrading coral habitat near 1500 ft (460 m) 1 Project Description: The Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) is the Atlantic Ocean’s largest coral reef, and the second largest barrier reef in the world. The reef stretches across 1000 km of the continental shelf from Honduras to Mexico (Fig. 1). The continental slope is directly adjacent to the reef, and drops abruptly to bathyal depths of 3500 m and more. The substrate and topography of the deep escarpment are well suited to deep-sea corals, including ‘stony’ reef building corals, soft corals, cup corals, sea fans, and black corals. Yet, only 2 or 3 sites along the MAR have been explored using submersibles or sampled using trawls. Where the present study was conducted, rich and abundant assemblages of hard and soft corals were found. Species composition of the deep reef assemblage appears similar to neighboring US reefs, with many shared species. This suggests deep-sea communities along the MAR may be connected to the Gulf of Figure 1. Map of the Western Caribbean Sea showing the extent of Mexico and Straits of Florida through the deep Meso-American Reef, from Honduras (bottom) to larval dispersal and exchange. Yucatan Channel (top). The 800 m isobath is in red, showing the depth limit of our explorations. Isla de Roatán in the Bay Islands is located at the southern extent of the MAR, 50 km north of mainland Honduras. The island offers ready access to remarkable deep-sea coral aggregations 700 m and deeper. Roatán is home to the Idabel submersible and Roatán Institute for Deep-Sea Exploration (RIDE). RIDE was founded by Idabel designer, builder, and pilot Karl Stanley. The Deep Coral and Associated Species Taxonomy and Ecology (DeepCAST) II Expedition used the Idabel submersible to collect photographic, video, and water chemistry data. The research team included marine biologists from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC), and Conservation International (CI). Dr. Peter Etnoyer, NOAA, led the research expedition. Dr. Tom Shirley, TAMU-CC, and Dr. Jerry Harasewych, NMNH, served as co-leaders. 2 Dive Location: Figure 2. Plan view of Roatán Island, situated 70 kilometers north of mainland Honduras. The pink dots indicate the location of six submersible dives conducted for DeepCAST II Expedition. Project Goals and Objectives: The primary goals of the DeepCAST expeditions were to: 1) estimate deep coral and sponge relative abundance, density, and diversity for comparison to other known aggregations in the Western Atlantic; and, 2) discern the nature of the relationships between host corals and their associated species, including epifauna living on the corals, and predators feeding on the corals. To accomplish these goals, the group conducted non-invasive photo and video transects of deep-coral fauna, deployed baited traps, and collected voucher specimens of corals (e.g., Lophelia pertusa and Dendrophyllia alternata) and associated species (e.g., gastropods and crinoids). A secondary goal of the DeepCAST research was to characterize water column chemistry in and around Lophelia pertusa reefs. This was accomplished by mounting a Conductivity-Temperature-Depth- Dissolved Oxygen (CTD-O) with pH sensor to the Idabel submersible. CTD-O data were downloaded to a field laptop daily upon recovery. The data may help to define the “climate envelope” of Lophelia pertusa in the Caribbean Sea by providing information on temperature, salinity, oxygen, and pH. These parameters may be correlated to aragonite saturation state through future water sampling efforts. 3 Idabel submersible: Idabel was used to gather biological samples, photo, video, CTD-O, and pH data. The sub is equipped with interior and exterior still/video cameras, synchronized exterior strobes, and parallel exterior lasers. The vessel is pressure rated to 1000 m depth by designer, builder, and pilot Karl Stanley. The vehicle has a weight limit of 450 lbs (204 kg) plus the pilot. Two scientists occupied the forward compartment. Figure 3. Idabel submersible is a three-person sub with a 32in. (81 cm) viewport for scientific observers. Dive Schedule: Table 1. DeepCAST II dive dates, observers, locations, depths, and activities.